Cabrillo Presents 'Beauty and the Beast'

Just as the long-running Disney musical Beauty and the Beast comes to a close on Broadway, now in its 13th year, Cabrillo Music Theatre announces the family-friendly musical will round out its 2007 season beginning July 27 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza's Countrywide Performing Arts Center.

The theatre company's artistic director, Lewis Wilkenfeld, will direct the production, with musical direction by Tom Griffin and choreography by Peggy Hickey.  Having opened on Broadway in 1994, Beauty and the Beast has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton.

"Beauty and the Beast tells the story of a young man, cursed to live out his life as a beast, and a beautiful young woman whose interests and behavior have left her equally lonely," state press notes.  "They are brought together by a singing teapot, an amorous candelabra, a fussy clock, and a veritable army of enchanted objects.  With music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Wolverton, songs includes the Oscar-winning title song, plus 'Be Our Guest,' 'Belle,' 'Gaston,' and many more, several written especially for the stage production."

Menken, Ashman and Rice are no strangers to Disney, with multiple awards for their work on such animated films as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin" and the film version of "Beauty and the Beast."

Chris Warren Gilbert has been cast in the title role of Beast, having last performed with Cabrillo Music Theatre in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  Matt Merchant will play as the villainous Gaston.  Los Angeles audiences might recognize Merchant from his turn as Fonzie's arch nemesis in Garry Marshall's Happy Days:  the Family Musical.

Beauty and the Beast will run through August 5, with performances Thursday thru Sundays.  Tickets range from $22 to $51 and can be purchased at the Countrywide Performing Arts Center Box Office, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks or by calling 805-583-8700.  For more information visit www.cabrillomusictheatre.com.

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